PIB Summary- 26th August, 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Green Hydrogen Mission

Why in News?

Recently, the union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the Green Hydrogen Mission as a cornerstone of India’s strategy to decarbonize heavy industry, transportation, and power generation.

He highlighted that this mission is crucial for driving innovation in clean technologies and achieving global climate goals.

What is Green hydrogen?

• A colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic and highly combustible gaseous substance, hydrogen is the lightest, simplest and most abundant member of the family of chemical elements in the universe.
• But a colour — green — prefixed to it makes hydrogen the “fuel of the future”.
• The ‘green’ depends on how the electricity is generated to obtain the hydrogen, which does not emit greenhouse gas when burned.
• Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis using renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind or hydel power.
• Hydrogen can be ‘grey’ and ‘blue’ too.
  • Grey hydrogen is generated through fossil fuels such as coal and gas and currently accounts for 95% of the total production in South Asia.
  • Blue hydrogen, too, is produced using electricity generated by burning fossil fuels but with technologies to prevent the carbon released in the process from entering the atmosphere.

Green Hydrogen Importance

• Hydrogen is being used across the United States, Russia, China, France and Germany. Countries like Japan desire to become a hydrogen economy in future.
• Green hydrogen can in future be used for
  • Electricity and drinking water generation, energy storage, transportation etc. 
  • Green hydrogen can be used to provide water to the crew members in space stations.
  • Energy storage- Compressed hydrogen tanks can store the energy longer and are easier to handle than lithium-ion batteries as they are lighter.
  • Transport and mobility- Hydrogen can be used in heavy transport, aviation and maritime transport.

What is the National Green Hydrogen Mission?

• The intent of the mission is to incentivise the commercial production of green hydrogen and make India a net exporter of the fuel.
•  The mission has laid out a target to develop green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonne) per annum.
• This is alongside adding renewable energy capacity of about 125 GW (gigawatt) in the country.
  • This will entail the decarbonisation of the industrial, mobility and energy sectors; reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and feedstock; developing indigenous manufacturing capabilities; creating employment opportunities; and developing new technologies such as efficient fuel cells.
• By 2030, the Centre hopes its investments will bring in investments worth ₹8 trillion and create over six lakh jobs. Moreover, about 50 MMT per annum of CO2 emissions are expected to be averted by 2030.
• As per its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, India has committed to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, from 2005 levels.

Lakhpati Didi Sammelan

Why in News?

The Prime Minister of India recently addressed Lakhpati Didi Sammelan in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. He handed out certificates and felicitated 11 lakh new Lakhpati Didis who recently became Lakhpati during the third term of the present government.

Lakhpati Didi Initiative

• Holistic Approach: The Ministry of Rural Development adopts a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to ensure maximum impact through convergence, ultimately transforming the rural economy and enabling the emergence of ‘Lakhpati Didis.’
• Announcement: The Lakhpati Didi Initiative was unveiled by the Prime Minister during his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2023.
• Objective: The primary goal of this initiative is to empower women to establish micro-enterprises within their respective villages.
• Scale: The government intends to train approximately two crore women through this program.
• Target: The initiative specifically focuses on providing training to women who are part of self-help groups (SHGs) to enable them to achieve a sustainable annual income of at least Rs 1 lakh per household.
• Execution: DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission) is spearheading the Lakhpati Didi Initiative. The approach involves encouraging SHG households to engage in multiple livelihood activities alongside value chain interventions, with the end goal of securing an annual income of Rs 1 lakh or more.
• Skill Training: Women under this scheme will receive training in a variety of skills including plumbing, LED bulb manufacturing, drone operation and repair, as well as tailoring and weaving.
• Income Opportunities: After completing their training, women will have access to income-generating opportunities that utilize their acquired skills.